Framingham Firefighter Indicted On Armed Robbery Charges

FRAMINGHAM, MA—The Framingham firefighter accused of robbing a Natick bank that resulted in a half-day search last November has been indicted on those charges. Michael Espinosa, 34, of Framingham, was charged with armed robbery, larceny over $250, and misuse of a credit card over $250, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan said Monday when she announced recent grand jury indictments.

Around 10:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 9, detectives from Natick and Framingham arrested Espinosa for allegedly robbing the Citizens Bank inside the Natick Stop 'n' Shop.

Espinosa was arraigned the following day in Framingham District Court and charged with armed robbery in connection with an alleged Natick bank robbery, said Ryan, who added that Espinosa was a firefighter with the Framingham Fire Department. Chief Joseph Hicks immediately placed Espinosa on paid administrative leave, pending further personnel action in accordance with Espinosa's civil service rights.

On Nov. 9, around 11:14 a.m., Espinosa is alleged to have entered Citizens on Worcester Street wearing sunglasses and a hat, and approached the counter demanding cash from the bank tellers. He allegedly told the tellers that he was armed with gun. The tellers then allegedly gave the defendant approximately $1,000 in cash. Through surveillance footage, Natick Police allegedly identified the Espinosa's motor vehicle. A search warrant executed on the defendant's home allegedly located clothing that matched those worn during the bank robbery, including the hat and sunglasses.

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